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Misty Acres Alpaca Farm – "Alpacas? Absolutely!" by Connie Laliberte Come visit our magnificent farm on the serene banks of the Kennebec River in south central Maine. Pause for a moment and relax or reflect. Listen to the alpacas hum, watch the bald eagles nesting or soaring above the barn and pastures, or the family of foxes playing or hunting in the fields. Our journey to becoming alpaca farmers was "Karma". Red and Connie would often drive by a small alpaca farm when going to visit family. We would ponder and discuss reasons why people would raise alpacas during our drives. We were more formally introduced to alpacas, their history, and value at a local fair. The search continued by visiting local alpaca farms and many hours of research to gather as much information as we could. Out of curiosity, we stopped by the small alpaca farm we passed so frequently as a drive by. As a complete surprise to us, this farm was considering selling their alpacas. Ta-dah!!! We became alpaca farmers. Many intricacies of alpaca farming are intoxicating. The time spent with the alpacas is rewarding and relaxing. Each animal has its own personality and relationship with us. The excitement of planning reproduction and breeding for elite fleece, color, and genetics is challenging and exceptionally stimulating. After waiting for nearly 11.5 months of gestation, we are blessed with a healthy newborn cria, whose color and fiber are often a great surprise. We pride ourselves on breeding first class alpacas from exceptional genetics. Our newly built barn is expansive and flexible with pastures connected to three sides of the barn, which allows us to care for our alpacas from the center of the barn. 
Alpacas soon become not only your own dream, but leach out and infect the rest of your family.
We find our extended family gravitating to our alpaca farm. Our nieces have become connoisseurs
of many aspects of alpaca farming. They not only shovel, clean, train, and show our alpacas,
but can spend hours on their knees in the pasture just watching or interacting with the alpacas.Alpacas seem to cause and promote social interaction with neighbors as well. Visitors become infatuated with alpacas on the open farm days we have throughout the year. We are happy to share our knowledge with anyone interested or curious. Not only are we pleased to have developed our alpaca sense, but have embarked on a journey which includes new relationships we would never have experienced. Red and Connie both had employment responsibilities prior to purchasing alpacas. Red is a contractor ( farmer at heart), and was a dairy farmer in is younger years. Connie is a pharmacist and is still currently working. Caring for alpacas has fit in quite nicely with both of our work demands in other jobs. Our future plans include decreasing our hours of employment outside of the farm and hopefully become full time alpaca farmers. It is difficult to find adequate words to describe the alpaca farm experience. It has been wonderful, fulfilling, and exciting. Our doors are open to those interested in learning about alpacas. I would encourage anyone who is even remotely interested or curious to pursue and gather information about alpacas. Alpacas could become your rewarding future as well. |
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